Winlator Archives

BetaBeacon

March 5, 2026

I’ve finally completed my quest to transform my Samsung Galaxy XR into a bona fide Steam Frame, and it only took one free app to do it

GameHub app allows Samsung Galaxy XR users to play Steam games natively without the need for cloud streaming or subscriptions. The app is user-friendly and does not require excessive permissions. Users can easily connect their Steam account to the app and access their entire library on the Galaxy XR. Compatibility and performance checks are available, and additional options for performance adjustments can be configured. The app also supports VR games with the use of Bluetooth controllers and the Virtual Desktop app.

BetaBeacon

February 18, 2026

GameHub will give Mac owners another imperfect way to play Windows games

The main reason behind the release of GameSir's Windows emulation tool was to boost sales of its controllers.

BetaBeacon

January 13, 2026

Valve’s Steam Deck suffers the same problem as the Xbox Ally, and the solution might be a modern manufacturing impossibility — Sony nailed it 16 years ago

The solution was Windows Phone, as the author expresses a desire for a smartphone running Windows or Linux, rather than Android.

BetaBeacon

January 6, 2026

How To Play PC Games On Your Android Device In 2026

Playing PC games on an Android device using GameHub and GameNative is legal and does not involve questionable workarounds. Game emulation for older systems and retro consoles is different and may have legality issues. GameHub and GameNative are recommended methods for playing games on Android, with GameHub being the best all-rounder. Tweaking settings may be necessary for optimal performance. Android handhelds have advantages over x86 gaming handhelds but may not be a proper replacement yet. The future for PC gaming on Android looks promising as more development is being done in this area.

BetaBeacon

December 10, 2025

How to Get Games on Your Retro Gaming Handheld

Emulation is a popular use for retro gaming handhelds, allowing them to mimic older devices like the Game Boy, Super Nintendo, and PlayStation 1 to play games originally released for those platforms. Emulators can recreate all the processes of old consoles using modern hardware. Emulation can lead to minor inaccuracies in sound or graphics, but also allows for games to be upscaled to higher resolutions and supports save states. Emulation is legal as long as copyrighted software is not distributed to run on emulators. Retro gaming handhelds can also play Android games and stream games from the cloud. There are ways to play PC games on retro gaming handhelds using Linux or Android, either through fan-made ports or compatibility layers. Some concerns exist with using certain apps to play Steam games on Android, but the future may hold an official way to play Steam games on these devices.

BetaBeacon

November 14, 2025

Android gaming handhelds are great, but there’s an ugly side to the space I’m tired of ignoring. Here’s a glimpse at my journey through the frustrating world of delayed Android gaming handhelds and what it reveals about one of the market’s biggest players

AYANEO is experiencing quality control issues, poor build quality, and shipping delays due to trying to do too much too fast.

BetaBeacon

November 13, 2025

GameHub makes surprise Play Store appearance, making it easier than ever to play Windows games on Android

GameSir's GameHub application is now available on the Google Play Store for free. GameHub allows users to play Windows games on Android devices by signing into their personal Steam account.

BetaBeacon

November 7, 2025

Android gaming handhelds are having their ‘Steam Deck moment’ as new devices like the AYN Odin 3 and KONKR Pocket FIT deliver Snapdragon 8 Elite power and full PC game emulation at unprecedented budget prices, ushering in a golden age for portable gaming

The Steam Deck originally launched with a price tag of 9, cheaper than other x86 handhelds. AYANEO and AYN have now released Android gaming handhelds powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, offering top spec models for 9 and 9 respectively. These handhelds can run Windows emulation and offer a user-friendly experience for gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is capable of emulating other consoles, including Switch games. AYANEO, AYN, and Retroid are releasing handhelds with a similar price-to-performance ratio as the Steam Deck.

BetaBeacon

September 9, 2025

I spent the weekend playing Silksong on my phone

The text describes how the author was able to play Hollow Knight: Silksong on their Android phone using Windows emulation and GameHub. They were able to adjust settings for better performance, such as lowering in-game settings and capping the framerate, to reduce power usage and prevent overheating. Other options to play Silksong on a phone include using different Windows emulators, Xbox Cloud Gaming, local game streaming, or emulating the Switch version.

BetaBeacon

August 8, 2025

I tried emulating PC games on a Pixel phone, and I have mixed thoughts

- GameHub is an app that allows users to play PC games on their Android phones or tablets via emulation/translation. - GameHub can only be downloaded from GameSir's website and is not available on the Play Store. - The app recently gained Steam integration, allowing users to install titles from their Steam library. - Some PC games, such as Spelunky, Castle Crashers, and Undertale, were tested on a Pixel 7 Pro with varying levels of success in terms of performance. - GameHub offers improvements over rival apps like Winlator, including a more intuitive UI and robust controller support. - While GameHub may be time-consuming and occasionally frustrating to set up and use, it is continuously receiving updates for improvement. - The rival Winlator app is also worth trying on a Pixel, as some games that don't run on GameHub might run fine on Winlator and vice versa.